how to heat a 125 gallon tank

hi!! so i’ve had my beardie, gerald, for almost a year now, and he’s in a 125 gallon tank (fear not, he was in a 20 breeder as a baby and then i moved him when he was big enough). however, i’m having trouble heating it. at present, he has two ceramic heat emitters in his basking area - both 150 watts -, however, it still doesn’t get above 83 ish degrees, not nearly what he needs. my first thought was another che, however, 3-4 che’s for his basking area alone seems excessive, and i can’t seem to find higher watt che’s, at least not ones with good reviews. any suggestions on other ways to heat his tank?

Please post a pic of his tank and lighting and we can better help from there
go to user image uploader at the top of this page-- download pics-- click on reply - at top of message box click on XIMG- pics should post wait for page to refresh and check and see it they posted
Karrie

KarrieRee":9wbwwc8s said:

Please post a pic of his tank and lighting and we can better help from there
go to user image uploader at the top of this page-- download pics-- click on reply - at top of message box click on XIMG- pics should post wait for page to refresh and check and see it they posted
Karrie

Click to expand...

I’ve been in the process of upgrading his tank, that’s why it looks so boring atm? his basking side is the left - I’ve not been able to get the temps right so haven’t finished creating his left side yet. he has the two che’s, both 150 Watts, and a heating pad on the bottom - i can move it if needed, that’s just where i originally placed it. his uv light is inside the tank on the wall in the middle.

Are ches the only thing you're using for overhead heating?
No actual light emitting bulb for heat?

-Brandon

claudiusx":21kl9ahn said:

Are ches the only thing you're using for overhead heating?
No actual light emitting bulb for heat?

-Brandon

Click to expand...

yes. i used to use heat/uv lights, then switched exclusively to che’s so it’s dark at night when his uv light turns off and doesn’t disturb his sleep.

He needs a basking light -- a bright white light - it will be trial and error-- w/ that -- I would start w/ a 100 watt-- make sure you have a infrared heat gun to get accurate temp on his basking spot-- it doesn't look like he can get to his UVB-- what kind is it--- brand ?
Karrie

KarrieRee":25pu3ptw said:

He needs a basking light -- a bright white light - it will be trial and error-- w/ that -- I would start w/ a 100 watt-- make sure you have a infrared heat gun to get accurate temp on his basking spot-- it doesn't look like he can get to his UVB-- what kind is it--- brand ?
Karrie

Click to expand...

it’s a zoo med

A zoo med? Reptisun? T5 or T 8? He needs to be able to sit under that UVB-- and is he having trouble eating or pooping? W/ out proper heating I am surprised he's not having issues since the lighting plays a huge role in their over all health
Karrie

KarrieRee":fxyakcdg said:

A zoo med? Reptisun? T5 or T 8? He needs to be able to sit under that UVB-- and is he having trouble eating or pooping? W/ out proper heating I am surprised he's not having issues since the lighting plays a huge role in their over all health
Karrie

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It’s a reptisun 10.0. he eats and poops just fine.

Well once you get a white bright basking bulb in there your temps should start going up--- just make sure you have a heat gun to get the temp-- a digital probe should be put in the tank on the cool side-- temps in your tank should be 95- 105 for adult 100-110 for a baby-- hot side-- cool side 80's during day no lower than 65 at night w/ all lights off-- my tank is a 120 gallon Zen habitat I use a 100 watt EXO terro basking bulb -- keeps hot side around 95-104-
Karrie

Yes you need to have a basking bulb that produces visible light. That is very important. Che's really should only be used at night for what you mentioned, heat at night and complete darkness.

-Brandon

KarrieRee":1bvut9uc said:

Well once you get a white bright basking bulb in there your temps should start going up--- just make sure you have a heat gun to get the temp-- a digital probe should be put in the tank on the cool side-- temps in your tank should be 95- 105 for adult 100-110 for a baby-- hot side-- cool side 80's during day no lower than 65 at night w/ all lights off-- my tank is a 120 gallon Zen habitat I use a 100 watt EXO terro basking bulb -- keeps hot side around 95-104-
Karrie

Click to expand...

do you have a pic of your setup?

Yes-- The dome in center of tank is a 100 watt CHE-- the dome on far left basking-- dome on far right a 60 watt household bulb used for light-- I like my tank lit during the day-- my CHE is off during summer- used only during colder months
Karrie

Not sure if it will help, but I posted what I do for my large, open viv. at the bottom of this thread
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=248857